LARNE Hockey Club booked their spot in the Denman Shield knockout stages with a 1-0 victory over Ballymoney.
The win sealed a 3-1 win on aggregate and sets up a semi-final clash with last season’s runners-up, Queen’s University.
The previous two meetings between the sides this season saw them separated by just one goal, and Saturday’s clash proved another tight spectacle as they remained goalless until the final quarter.
Then, with just eight minutes remaining on the clock, the hosts worked it well from back to front before Evie Lavery picked out the bottom corner with her slapped effort.
The goal proved to be the difference between the sides and secured a 3-1 aggregate win over their league rivals.
At The Glade, Mossley sealed a narrow 3-2 win against Banbridge to finish Pool A level on points with Ulster Elks.
After a goalless opening quarter, the deadlock was broken by the hosts when Alex Snoddy found herself unmarked at the back post before tapping in from close range.
However, Yasmin Morrow quickly equalised for the visitors to send the sides into the half-time break level at a goal apiece.
In the third period, Mossley restored their lead when Lucy Campbell ended her three-game wait for a goal as she picked out the corner with a well-hit reverse strike, but again it was cancelled out as Paula Atkinson equalised once more for Banbridge.
Davy Menaul’s side then took the lead once more in the final quarter when Campbell struck with her second of the game, netting from a well-worked penalty corner to seal the points for her side.
Despite their win, Mossley exit the competition at the group stage. Level on four points alongside Ulster Elks, it is the University side who will progress to the knockout stages by way of goal difference.
Ards Ladies extended their lead at the top of the Legacy Wealth Management Premier League to nine points as they beat Armagh 3-0.
The win continues their unbeaten start to the season, with the side now just four wins away from being crowned champions.
Alana Doyle proved to be the star performer for her side, netting twice to bring her tally for the season to six goals.
A strike from Susie Cotter rounded off the 3-0 win as the Ards player scored for the third game in a row to help extend her side’s winning run to 10.
Following the defeat, Armagh remain just two points above Ballymoney in the relegation playoff place, whilst their winless run was extended to eight games with just a third of the season remaining.
